§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many jobs will be lost in total as a result of his Department's regional reorganisation; and what are the net financial savings expected.
§ Mr. CurryIt is projected that the regional reorganisation will result in a net loss of about 150 posts across the country as a whole and a net annual financial saving of about £3 million. The saving will be fully realised in 1993–94, by which time the restructuring, which will improve the cost effectiveness and efficiency of the Ministry's services, will have been completed. Where posts are to be lost, every effort is being made to find staff alternative jobs. We are doing all we can to avoid compulsory redundancies.